26011From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you at One O’Clock this day yours dated twelve last Night came to hand. This has occasioned an alteration in the sentiments of myself and the Council, who find it impossible, from your representation, to give timely releif to the Fort. We therefore are now of opinion that the Cannon and Stores ought immediately to be removed, and every thing put into a disposition to remove...
26012To George Washington from Herman Zedwitz, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Should not presume to trouble your Exellencey with the inclosed letter to his Excellencey general howe, was it not to prevent mischiefs with three men Send after me from philadelphia by the honorable the Congress to Cure my desease, have Resolved upon to Publish a Shouking Story; but to inform your Excellencey in particular how dangerous them Vilans maid be if not prevented as well to the...
26013To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 13–15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 7th I have had the honour of reporting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 8th & 10th Currt. The Chairman of the Treasury Board in answer to my pressing intreaty for dispatch to replenish your Military Chest has desired me to inform your Excellency—“that from the removal of the Office from Baltimore & philadelphia the Money department has been greatly obstructed...
26014To John Adams from John Sullivan, 13 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
I this morning was favoured with yours of the 28 ultimo, which gave the more pleasure as I before had began to Conceive that Some part of my Conduct of which I was ignorant had Lost me your friendship and Esteem. This Sir was founded on my not Receiving a Single Line from you to Notify me of the Repeated Storms that were Raised against me in Congress. I Ever have and yet do most Sincerely wish...
26015From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 November 177[7] (Hamilton Papers)
Since my arrival in this quarter, I have been endeavouring to collect the best idea I could, of the state of things in New York in order the better to form a judgment of the probable reinforcement gone to General Howe. On the whole, these are facts well ascertained, that New York has been stripped extremely bare; That in consequence of this the few troops left there and the inhabitants are...
26016General Orders, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
26017To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary General of Prisoners begs leave to report to his Excellency, that he has attended to the Letter deliver’d him from General Howe of the 6th Inst. With regard to the Complaint made therein against the Commissary of Prisoners, Mr Boudinot is greatly surprised at a Charge as unexpected as it is unjust: Mr Boudinot assures his Excellency that since his Appointment he has never...
26018From George Washington to Maj. John Clark, 13 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. John Clark, Jr., 13 Nov. 1777. Clark’s letter to GW of 12 Nov. is docketed in part “Ansd 13th.”
26019From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The weight of the Enemy’s Fire upon Fort Mifflin has made such an impression upon the Works, that I think it more than probable that the Garrison will soon be obliged to evacuate it totally, altho’ I have directed them to keep up a shew of possession as long as possible. I shall be glad, to know whether it will be possible for you to remain at or near your present station with the fleet, after...
26020From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 5th in Answer to your’s of the 22d Ulto, I mentioned, that it was not our interest to expedite the passage of the prisoners to England. Upon a review of the matter, I am more & more convinced of the propriety of the observation. The most scrupulous adherence on the part of the Enemy to the Convention of Saratoga, will justify their placing the prisoners in Garrisons, as...
26021From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was, two days ago, honored with your favs. of the 29th and 30th October. I wish it were in my power to keep up a more regular Correspondence with the different States, but being exceedingly pressed by a variety of Business, I am often under the necessity of being deficient in that respect. Since the Engagement at Germantown no material alteration has happened in the Situation of the two...
26022From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall beg leave to refer you to a Letter of mine which accompanies this, and of equal date, for a general account of our situation and wants. The design of this, is only to inform you, (and with great truth I can do it, strange as it may seem) that the Army which I have had under my immediate command, has not, at any one time since General Howe’s Landing at the Head of Elk, been equal in...
26023From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you two Letters yesterday, the first contained positive orders to maintain the Fort on Mud Island at all events, the second in consequence of subsequent advices from you gave discretionary powers to evacuate the post—and a Copy of it was sent to guard against miscarriage—I refer you to its Contents and repeat that I would have a show of defence kept up as long as possible, by such a...
26024From George Washington to General William Howe, 14–15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by the tenor of your Letter of the 6th Instant, that we still unhappily differ in our ideas of those just & reasonable terms upon which a general Exchange of prisoners might take place and that an event so desireable is probably yet at a distance. This being the case, that releif to the unhappy, where it is practicable, may as long be delayed, I am induced to accede to your...
26025John Adams to Abigail Adams, 14 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
Here I am.–I am bound home.–I suppose it will take me 14 days, perhaps 18 or 20, to reach Home.–Mr. S.A. is with me.–I am tolerably well. The American Colours are still flying at Fort Mifflin. The News on the other Side, is from a Merchant to his Partner. RC ( Adams Papers ). Concerning the enclosure, if it can be truly called one, see notes 2 and 3 . On 7 Nov. JA and Samuel Adams were voted a...
26026To John Adams from James Lovell, 14 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
Tho I must refer you as well as Mr. Hancock to what I have written to Mr. S. Adams relative to the Business in Congress, and also omit at present general chit chat of Men Women and Things, yet one little Peice of History which is peculiarly adapted to your improving Fancy I must put down. Mr. Hancock’s Waggoner who went with Mrs. Hancock to Boston, after his Return to Germantown his Home...
26027William Bingham to the American Commissioners, 14 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL : American Philosophical Society I have been prevented from having the honor of writing to you for some considerable time past, as an Embargo has been laid upon all Shipping bound to Europe, in Consequence of some Dispatches, which the General received from France. I vainly hoped that it would be a Forerunner to a Commencement of Hostilities, but it is now taken off; and there seems...
26028William McCreery to the American Commissioners, [c. 14 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Prize having been lately made between the Mouth of this River, and the Lighthouse call’d Cordovan, by an American Privateer, and a Letter of Marque; which has occasion’d much talk at this place, much censure to me, as part owner of the latter, and many Letters to the English Ambassador; the purport of which I understand, is, that I, as an owner, shou’d be...
26029To Benjamin Franklin from Barbeu-Dubourg, 14 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Je vous prie, Mon cher Maitre, d’accorder un moment d’audience a Monsieur henry Du Bois Negociant d’Amsterdam, qui a des choses tout a fait interessantes a vous communiquer, et que j’espere que vous ne serez pas faché de connoitre. J’ai l’honneur de vous souhaiter le bonjour et de vous renouveller les assurances de mon parfait attachement Addressed: A...
26030To Benjamin Franklin from Aimé(or Amé)-Ambroise-Joseph Feutry, 14 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Feutry a l’honneur d’annoncer à Monsieur Franklin que, dans Le mercure de france de ce mois de novembre, 1777, page 105 et suivantes, on y parle du bon homme Richard avec l’intérêt qu’il mérite, et qu’on appelle cet opuscule aureum Libellum . Si feutry avoit osé, il y eut joint ses commandemens de l’honnête homme; mais il a craint de mettre une petite piece...
26031General Orders, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers & officers commanding brigades who have not completed their cloathing returns, according to the General Orders of the 9th instant, are to do it without the smallest delay; And all the Brigadiers and officers commanding brigades are to meet together to morrow at ten o’clock in the forenoon, at General Huntington’s quarters, to compare the wants of their brigades, and agree on the...
26032From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 26th Ulto came to my hands in due course of Post. I observe what you say respecting the Renting of Claibornes. It is not my wish to Lett it for any longer term than your Mama Inclines to, and at no rate for her life, unless it is perfectly agreeable to her—this I did conceive would have been the case (as I think she informd me) to you; but if it is not, I am equally well...
26033From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to know by Return of the Bearer whether the portable Ovens bespoke last summer are finished. If they are you may send them down to the Army if you can procure Waggons, if you cannot, let me know and I will order the Qr Mr General to send for them. Be pleased to let me know when you think you will be able to enter upon any of the duties of the Office which I spoke to you about...
26034From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to beleive, that on the return of Captn Vallancy, who is now on his way to Boston, Genl Burgoyne will apply to have the place assigned for the embarkation of the Prisoners, changed from Boston to Rhode Island or some part of the Sound. I know Genl Howe has suggested to him an Idea of the sort. I cannot say to whom his application may be—But for the most striking and obvious...
26035To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have just returnd from reconnoitering the grounds about Darby, the Islands below and up to the middle ferry—we purpose to go out again in the morning—from the present view Darby appears the only eligible position for the Army for the purpose of their crossing the river—It is the opinion of several of the gentlemen that the enemy may be best dislodged from the Islands by detachment, others...
26036To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Intimacy of my Connection with Mr Duché renders all Assurances unnecessary that the Letter addressed by him to your Excely on the 8: of Octr last gives me the greatest Concern—I flatter myself some undue Means have been used to induce him to write such a Letter, so incompatable with the amiable Character he has ever maintained & so fatal to his Reputation. & I could not forbear...
26037To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from the lower counties on Delaware. In our excursion thro’ that country, the several landings on the river were visited, but to our satisfaction, we learned that the intercourse between the inhabitants & fleet was totally broke up. Lord Howe has positively forbid the least connexion under severe penalties. I should have proceeded down as far as Dover, in order to destroy...
26038From George Washington to Colonel David Mason, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to refer the proceedings & Sentence of a Court Martial against John More to my determination I have thought proper to remit the punishment decreed against him. You will therefore order him to be released from Confinement & to join his Regiment or some Recruits coming to join the same. I have inclosed his pardon. I am Sir Yr Hble servt Df , in Robert Hanson...
26039To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your’s of the 4th 5th & 9th Instt & you will see by mine of 7th that I have detain’d Genl Warners Brigade. The New York Regiments being annex’d to General Poors Brigade, they are exceeding unwilling to be seperated, and I knowing the disadvantages that would arrise from their being here have presumed in some measure to deviate from your excellencys Orders —Those Regiments are...
26040To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
One Hour since, all was pretty well in Fort. Three killed Yesterday and seven wounded—Our greatest Misfortune has been, that so high, we could get nothing across the River, However, it is now calm, & the time improving. I have sent all the fresh Troops into the For[t] & shall, in every Respect pursue, your Orders signified 12th 5 oClock P.M. The Garrison may continue for some Time. Possibly we...